RECRUITMENT INFORMATION PACK

Cornwall School for Social Entrepreneurs CIC

(SSE Cornwall)

Finance & Contracts Manager

January 2017

Welcome

Thank you for your interest in applying for the role of Finance & Contracts Manager at the School for Social Entrepreneurs Cornwall.

We have put together some information below which we hope will provide some useful context and an understanding of the organisation and job role. You can also visit our website for greater detail on the organisation. Please do contact us for a more in-depth discussion if you’d like further detail on the role after reading through this pack.

About the School for Social Entrepreneurs

SSE was founded in 1997 by Michael Young. Its mission is to address inequalities and social exclusion by supporting social entrepreneurs from all backgrounds to transform their talent into real social outcomes. The SSE runs practical learning programmes aimed at helping develop both theindividual social entrepreneur and their organisation: our approach, andbelief, is that social change is people-powered, and that the most valuableassets and resources we have are human ones.

The School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) is the UK’s leading provider of learning programmes that support and develop social entrepreneurs:individuals working entrepreneurially to create social benefit.

Our global network extends across the UK,Canada and most recently India.

About SSE in Cornwall

Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has a dynamic enterprise culture that is driving the social enterprise movement by creating sustainable social enterprises based on people, planet and profit. Cornwall’s unique economic and geographic landscape lends itself to partnership and collaborative working, bringing added benefit across the public, private and social enterprise sectors.

This is a key role within the organisation to manage the finance and contracts for a range of projects including our Lloyds Bank for Social Entrepreneurs programme and our European Regional Development (ERDF) Engine Room Project. The successful candidate will be based at the SSE Cornwall Office, Health & Wellbeing Innovation Centre, Treliske, Truro.

SSE Cornwall is an independent Community Interest Company however, close working and liaison network of schools across the UK and internationally is fundamental to our working relationships.We work hard to ensure all our activities are of a high quality and work supportively with colleagues across our international franchise to share good practice and ideas.

Working closely with the CEO, Learning Manager, Learning Facilitator and Administrator and Project Coordinator, your role will be predominantly to manage and further develop systems to effectively manage SSE finance and contracts.

Our office in Cornwall is busy, friendly and dynamic. SSE is a vibrant organisation: we work entrepreneurially and are hugely committed to providing quality learning opportunities for social entrepreneurs. We continue to enjoy a period of expansion and development. Working here is engaging, exciting and demanding. If you are someone who enjoys creating solutions and contributing your ideas, you’ll enjoy how we work.

SSE Cornwall also has a hugely committed and talented Board of Directors.

About You

SSE Cornwall is seeking an experienced and knowledgeable Finance & Contract Manager who can work well as part of a multi-disciplinary team while maintaining focus in order to produce accurate and timely information as required.

The successful candidate will be highly organised and have an ability to work at a high standard to pre-set deadlines. You will be creative and engaging, able to form relationships quickly and work with openness and integrity.

Above all, you’ll be passioate about social entrepreneurship and share our ethos of supporting people to develop their ideas into sustainable social enterprises.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Finance & Contract Manager – SSE Cornwall

Reports to: CEO

Salary:£19,170 - £24,475 pro rata

Hours: 2.5 days per week (normal office hours 9am – 5pm)

Contract: Fixed-term from 1st Feb 2017 – 30th Nov 2018(3 month probationary period)

Flexibility:There is an expectation that the successful candidate will be willing to adapt his/her working hours to suit the needs of the organisation. This may involve occasional evening and weekend work.

Location:This post is based in at the SSE Cornwall Office, Health & Wellbeing Innovation Centre, Treliske, Truro, however, there will be some occasional travel for events & training.

Job Purpose:

Reporting on Funding and Contracts:

  • Maintain and develop systems to manage Cornwall SSE contracts to ensure that all delivery, activity and financial reporting contracts are met in an accurate and timely manner
  • Specific responsibility for overseeing Cornwall SSE’s reporting to corporate, grant and individual funders including specialist EU contracts.
  • Support to the Chief Executive preparing management accounts for the Cornwall SSE Board
  • Produce monthly cash flow forecasts and a range of performance indicator charts

Financial Management

  • Liaising closely with the CEO on strategic management of finances
  • Maintaining accurate records (both paper and computerised. We use QuickBooks accountancy package)
  • An ability to think around the data in order to determine the future inflows and outflows of cash

Specific duties and responsibilities

  • Overall responsibility for monitoring outcomes and reporting on SSE grants and contracts with funders and partners to ensure contractual obligations are met
  • Prepare quarterly updates and reports to funders and contract customers, and manage evaluations and audits for funders as required
  • Support the programme and partnership team with reporting requirements for strategic partners
  • Ensure that all Cornwall SSE Learning staff are aware of contractual obligations and work collaboratively with them to devise innovative ways of reporting the impact of Cornwall SSEs work
  • Occasional involvement with Cornwall SSEs delivery and some relationship development with students to ensure high quality, creative and accurate reporting of SSE’s work
  • Co-ordinating funder visits to Cornwall SSE in liaison with the CEO / Projects team
  • Work with Programme co-ordinator to prepare timely and accurate financial statements for funders and the Cornwall SSE Board
  • Project manage funding partnerships where Cornwall SSE is the lead partner, including scheduling and organising meetings
  • Support the CEO to prepare income and expenditure projections
  • Attend Cornwall SSE project and Board Meetings as required

Finance Administration

  • Work closely Cornwall SSE Administrator and Project Coordinator, setting up payments and preparing invoices
  • Provide secretarial administration for Cornwall SSE including managing Companies House, HMRC returns and drafting the annual report narrative as required.

Business Team Administration

  • Work closely with Administrator & Project Coordinator to build and maintain a sales database
  • Implement effective and efficient administration systems and ensure these are applied by the team
  • Support the preparation of financial reports and statements for quarterly Board meetings

General responsibilities

  • Maintain regular and effective communication with all Cornwall SSE colleagues, and provide cross-team support, particularly at peak times
  • Play an active role in strategic reviews and contribute to the wider thinking and planning of the organisation
  • Participate in regular one to ones with line manager (CEO) as part of your on-going personal development and training
  • Work in a spirit of mutual support and co-operation with colleagues
  • Carry out other tasks that are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job
  • To be responsible for his/her own self-development on a continuous basis.
  • To carry out at all times, his/her responsibilities with due regard to the Data Protection Act and current Data Protection Policy.
  • To carry out, at all times, his/her responsibilities with due regard to the Company’s Equal Opportunities Policy
  • To work at all times within the code of the Health & Safety At Work Act 1974 and related legislation.

The successful candidate will

  • Have a thorough understanding of financial systems and procedures
  • Have a proactive ‘can do’ approach to the role
  • Work as part of a strong dynamic team
  • Be able to work alone, to deadlines using own initiative
  • Build and maintain excellent relationships with all SSE Cornwall partners

This job description is not comprehensive or exclusive and duties may be varied from time to time, but these will not change the general character or level of responsibility of the job. This job description and your performance will be regularly reviewed with you.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE: Contract & Finance Manager

ATTRIBUTES / ESSENTIAL / DESIRABLE / HOW IDENTIFIED
Relevant Experience / Experience of working independently and using own initiative
Experience of establishing and maintaining financial systems and administration
Experience of producing monthly cash flow forecasts / performance indicators
Experience of European funding administration
Knowledge of reporting for funders and contracts / Experience of Salesforce
Experience of working with public and / or community organisations / Application form / interview
Education & Training / Educated to degree level and/or equivalent experience
Ability to present written & numerical information clearly and effectively / Application form / interview
Knowledge / An understanding of processes for ensuring and monitoring quality
Interest in voluntary organisations, social enterprises and issues affecting the sector
Some understanding of the needs of individuals setting up new projects / organisations / Application form / interview
Skills / Outstanding organisational skills
Excellent numeracy and Microsoft Excel skills
Attention to detail
An ability to think around the data in order to determine the future inflows and outflows of cash
Able to work under pressure and to meet deadlines
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills appropriate to dealing with people at all levels.
Ability to prioritise workload and manage own time
Excellent computer literacy
Ability to adapt to change and respond positively to new challenges
Flexible attitude and ability to work as part of a team. / Application form / interview
Attributes / Dynamic
Planned & organised
A proactive approach to work
Committed to continued professional development
Driven and focused
Flexible
Friendly and positive
Passionate about SSE’s vision & values / Application form / interview

To Apply

To apply please send your CV with the name and contact details of two referees together with a covering letter answering the following questions:
1. What excites you about the prospect of working for the School for Social Entrepreneurs? (max 200 words)
2. What would make you an excellent Finance and Contract Manager? (max 300 words)
Please ensure you keep within the word count.
Please send your application by email

Subject: Finance & Contract ManagerApplication and your full name

Or by post to the following address:

Sally Heard

CEO

Cornwall School for Social Entrepreneurs CIC

Health & Wellbeing Innovation Centre

Treliske

Truro

Cornwall

TR1 3FF

Ensure your envelope is marked Private and Confidential

Application Closing date: 9am Tuesday 7th February 2017

Interviews will be held at the Health & Wellbeing Innovation Centre, Truro on Tuesday 14th February 2017

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